Well, with the new year now upon us, the 2012 election campaign has been in full swing for the better part of a year already, and the field of candidates has started to clear up. Here's my breakdown of the main candidates (I'm disregarding any third party or non-mainstream candidates):
Barack Obama: I'm totally not a fan. I could write a book on the reasons why I'm not a fan, but I'll leave it at that for now.
Michelle Bachmann: I think she's a kook. Sarah Palin 2.0? I agree with many of her principles, but good lord, the woman is scary. In addition, from what I've seen of her (research into her background and stuff), she's one of those "do as I say, not as I do" folks. In other words, the type of person I view as the lowest form of life in DC. She's a no-go for me.
Rick Santorum: Another kook. I agree with some of his viewpoints, but some of his others (such as his views regarding Iran) are out there. I will give him props, though, in regards to the consistency of his message. Umm, that's about the only thing I can commend him on. Not a fan.
Jon Huntsman: Is he still running? If he is, I think he's running in the wrong party. 'Nuff said.
Rick Perry: I had high hopes when he announced his candidacy, but he's totally bombed since then. He's got the debate/public elocution IQ of a rock (no offense to rocks) and seems to be a flip flopper on some big issues. He also seems to be one of the bottom feeders like Bachmann, on the "do as I say, not as I do" front for some issues. All that aside, I still do agree with many of his principles.
Herman Cain: The Tiger Woods of the business world? 'Nuff said.
Ron Paul: This dude terrifies me. Many of his viewpoints make the other loons in the running, Bachmann and Perry, look like Mr. Spock at his most boring and logical. While I generally like libertarianism in principle, I think he's gone way off the reservation when it comes to most issues. Way, WAY off the reservation. As in, he's in an area where the word "reservation" isn't even in the local lingo. Total no-go for me.
Newt Gingrich: He's as crooked as they come. Total personal morality failure, his political record is marred with controversy, and he's a flip flopper. He just rubs me the wrong way, too. No-go.
Mitt Romney: Sigh. Almost certainly the most electable of the bunch. Sadly, "most electable" does not make a desired candidate make. He is a moderate, but I can tolerate that. He's got pretty good business acumen, which is a big plus in my book. He's got some pretty big flip flops in his baggage, which is a big fat red X on his candidacy. Unfortunately, I view him as the least of the evils in this batch. I won't complain too much if he gets the Republican nomination, but I wish there was a better candidate out there.
Who would I pick for the ticket, if I could have my pick of potential candidates?
I've got three in mind, so it wouldn't be the Pres/Veep ticket. Just my top three wish listees:
Chris Christie: The guy is a economic genius. I think he'd make a fantastic VP, but some of his social views are too moderate for me to wish he was running for president, at least this time around.
Paul Ryan: This guy is a rock star. Very intelligent, conservative, and I haven't been able to find any dirt on him.
Marco Rubio: Pretty much a younger version of Paul Ryan.
